I took part in another automotive market research study last night. This one was held at the LA Convention Center (South Hall) and sponsored by AIM Research. My previous study about 6 months ago was also with AIM but at their Long Beach offices. That's when I saw the B8 2.0T quattro in the flesh and was able to confirm the engine rating of 211 hp and 258 lb-ft for the forum participants here.

I didn't know the exact subject of this latest study. I was selected because I own/lease a 2007 BMW 335i and was interested in buying a midsize luxury car within the next 2 years. They had tight security (airport style metal detectors and wands) to make sure nobody sneaked in a tiny camera to snap pictures of the cars. The main hall had five midsize family vehicles: Camry, Accord, Altima, Huyandai Sonata and this new VW midsize family sedan. I had read articles about VW's plans to introduce a midsize sedan below the Passat, but wasn't expecting something that blows away the current Passat. One look at the new VW and I knew that this market research was sponsored by VWoA.

I won't bore you with comparisons to the boring Japanese and Korean competition. Suffice it to say that the mystery VW sedan looked much better than the entire field. My first impression was that this is VW's version of the B8 A4. The car may be slightly bigger than the B8 A4 but it definitely uses the same platform. It has a very long wheelbase and shorter front overhang than any current VW model. The sharp crease along the lower side panels which extends along the entire length reminded me of the B8 A4 and the clean sides (no body side moldings) was another B8 design cue. To add insult to injury, all versions came with nicely finished exhaust tips, dual chrome ones on the left side for the 4-cylinder and dual sided oval tips (similar to the B8 3.2) on the top line trim which presumably has the 280-hp V6. When VW's Camry/Accord/Altima fighter is offered with a 280-hp V6, it becomes that much harder to accept a 265-hp V6 as the top engine in the B8 A4. The 300-hp 3.0T can't come soon enough.

The front grille looks like the newer VW models (Golf/GTI Mk VI and the new Scirroco). The 3 versions that they had on display in three separate areas had slightly different taillight designs and front lower bumper designs. Perhaps the S, SE and SEL versions have slightly different physical appearance. The headlight cluster looked similar to the B8 Premium trim headlights (without LED DRLs). The proportions of this new VW sedan are very good. The car looks wide and low and the long wheelbase set it apart from the field. I'm not quite sold on the new body-width but short VW grille with 3 horizontal chrome bars. I think I will grow to like it more than the current corporate large grille.

The VW cars on display did not have finished interiors, so they had separate mock-up interior cabins to show the participants what the car looked like inside. It definitely looks better than the competition on hand, but it's no threat to the B8 A4 interior. There's a rectangular theme to the A/C vents, analog clock and center console that seemed a bit dated. So this vehicle is clearly not aimed to compete with the B8 A4, but I think anyone looking at the base Premium A4 2.0T would be remiss not to check out this VW sedan in SE or SEL trim level. Engine choices from the spec sheets I swa appear to show nothing new. The engine choices range from the from the 170-hp 2.5 to the ubiquitous 200-hp 2.0T and the 280-hp V6.

I also saw the 2009 Passat CC and had a chance to sit in it. This is a very impressive looking vehicle, far better looking than the current Passat sedan. It looks several inches wider, longer and sits a few inches lower. The loaded CC I sat in had a black leather interior with brushed aluminum trim, nice sport seats and a very beautiful interior that I actually prefer to my brother's 2007 A6 3.2 S-line interior. This CC interior is every bit as good as the B8 A4 interior. The overall layout is familiar from the Passat sedan, but is executed more nicely. The rear seating area has plenty of legroom and headroom for a 5'11" adult. I would have trouble choosing between the CC and the B8 A4 if the CC 3.6 was offered with a manual transmission.

The one problem I see with the VW line-up is a disconnect in styling theme between the newer models (Golf/GTI Mk VI and Scirroco) and the rest of the line-up (Tiguan, Passat, CC, Routan, Touareg, Golf, Jetta) which have the current scalloped headlights and the shiny grille.

I apologize in advance for the long ramble, but I thought B8 A4 enthusiasts might want to know something about this upcoming VW sedan which appears to share some A4 mechanicals.

If I was in the market for a VW I would be so annoyed to not get the new 2.0T... and I agree that there should be a man-tran option in the CC.

I actually read on source which specualted that the 211-hp, 258 lb-ft 2.0T engine would make its way into the Mk VI GTI, but the offical info seems to indicate a 210-hp, 206 lb-ft version of the old 2.0T.

I agree with you that it's hard to settle for the old 2.0T in a new VW when you know that an improved version is out on the market.

They have to keep power levels within reason. If you give the GTI 211/258 then the S3 engine will not cut it in the GTI-R. It would not warrant the R's price tag for 20 more lb ft tq and AWD.

The 2.0T for the A3 and GTI was just redesigned for the end of 2008 model year and beyond. Timing chain, different intake setup, different compression ration, complete redesign. So it isnt "old"

I read this new sedan was supposed to replace the current Passat... not suppliment it. Is there really room for a sedan between the Jetta and current Passat? The current Passat needs to be built cheaper and priced less, to line up better with the Accord and Camry. VW's upcoming American factory was supposed to solve this problem. I am shocked they are doing yet another sedan in addition to the current Passat.
Also, what was their compensation for your attendance?

The Volkswagen Group is planning to overtake Toyota, the world's biggest car maker, as part of a 10-year plan that will see the majority of new Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat models - possibly even some Porsches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis and Bugattis - adopt one of four mechanical platforms.

The four new model architectures are for compact rear-engined city cars (MHB), small to midsized transverse-engined family cars (MQB), mid-engined sports cars, and larger longitudinal-engined cars (MLB).

According to a report in Automotive News yesterday, those four architectures could allow the VW Group to almost double its volume by 2018, to reduce model development times by up to a year, and to reduce costs by between 25- and 40 per cent. Here's what's known about each of them right now.

'MHB' to underpin smallest models

Volkswagen's smallest new platform will form the basis of its forthcoming family of rear-engined Up! city cars but, as Autocar has learned, it will also serve underneath a new Seat city car known as the Ros, after the firm's Arosa city car.

There is considerable scope for it also to be used to engineer a bargain basement Skoda model, given the Czech brand's reputation for value for money. Industry experts will be keeping an eye out for a concept car at one of Europe's motor shows next year.

As the cheapest of VW's four platforms, it's also likely to play an important role in the groups' expansion into developing markets.

From Fabia to Bolero, via Audi's new A1: `MQB'

VW's next platform up will become its most ubiquitous ever. It's codenamed `MQB' and will allow VW to engineer a variety of different front, transverse-engined, front-wheel drive cars using the same starting point.

The models themselves will span several segments, varying in size from the next VW Polo and Skoda Fabia at the smaller end, up to the next VW Passat and Seat Bolero. They will differ in concept as widely as the sixth generation VW Golf and the next Audi TT, and the inherent flexibility within the platform will allow manufacturers to vary wheelbase, track width, overall height and seating position.

All `MQB' products, however, will share components, manufacturing processes, and primarily the positioning of the engine, front axle and pedal box will be the same in all. The first to appear is likely to be the Audi A1, in 2010.

VW's mid-engined sports car platform

Next in the scale is a new platform for mid-engined sports cars which the VW Group is currently developing. The internal codename for this project has been kept a secret, but Autocar understands that the project is borne out of the desire to be able to make cars as distantly separated as the Porsche Boxster and Lamborghini Gallardo more easily and more profitably.

According to our information, the next Porsche Boxster and Cayman will use this new model architecture, as will a smaller mid-engined sibling for the Audi R8, called the R4.

If it's sufficiently adaptable, the new mid-engined platform could also be farmed out to both Lamborghini and Bugatti. Watch this space to read more on the project.

Top of the pile: `MLB'

The VW Group's largest new platform will allow it to develop the next Audi A6, the new VW Phaeton, the next Bentley Continental GT and anything in between.

It allows engines to be positioned longitudinally in the engine bay, and for power to be channelled to all four wheels, and is already serving under the new Audi A4 and A5.

New platforms, new models

As well as fathering replacements for the models we already know, these four model architectures will streamline development processes, and make it easier and cheaper for VW to bring all-new models to the road.

This means we're going to see even more niche models from the group that recently gave us the VW Tiguan and Audi R8. We're already expecting more offroaders and a premium supermini from Audi, a compact coupe from Seat, and both a small 4x4 and a large crossover from Skoda in the coming years. It seems those models are only the tip of the iceberg.

more people will come. The current Jetta and Passat have not met expectations, and those were promised to be "the ones."

The Passat is supposedly too small when compared to the AccordCamryMazda6Altima competition. This new big VW is to be produced at the new VW US plant, starting in 2011.

Leave it to VW to announce a bigger car when everybody is probably thinking about downsizing because of higher fuel prices.

If what you saw is sized between the Jetta and Passat, I am wondering if it could'nt be the next-gen Jetta

the latest sales figures still have big cars outselling small car by a lot

the made for US "Passat" has to be about A6 sized